Interstate 10 in New Mexico
Encyclopedia
Interstate 10 in the U.S. state
of New Mexico
is 164.264 miles (264.4 km) long main route of the Interstate Highway System
. I-10 traverses Southern New Mexico through Hidalgo
, Grant
, Luna
, and Doña Ana
counties. The Interstate travels west–east between the Arizona state line and the interchange
with I-25
in Las Cruces
, and then travels north–south into Texas. U.S. Route 80 (US 80) was replaced by I-10 through New Mexico, and was removed in two stages, with all the signage removed by October 1991.
, Arizona
as a four lane divided highway
. The highway travels east through rural southeast New Mexico, passing between Steins Mountain and Attorney Mountain, part of the Peloncillo Mountains
, before passing by the ghost town
of Steins
. Continuing east, a the southern terminus of New Mexico State Road 80 (NM 80) is intersected, serving Rodeo
, followed by NM 338. Passing Lee Peak
the highway turns southeast entering Lordsburg
. US 70 is intersected in town, and becomes concurrent
with the highway as it continues east past the Lordsburg Municipal Airport, before exiting the town. Near the Grant County line is the Shakespeare
ghost town that the highway bypasses. Entering Grant County, the highway continues southeast then northeast after intersecting NM 146. The highway passes over the Continental Divide
on the Grant–Luna county line. Continuing east, the highway intersects the city of Deming
and the highway becomes concurrent with US 180 as the three highways continue east. The highway enters Doña Ana County as it approaches Las Cruces
. US 70 exits the highway as it enters the city, and the Interstate turns south and intersects the southern terminus of I-25
continuing south before crossing into El Paso County, Texas
.
established in 1926. The portion of US 80 between the Arizona state line and Anthony
was decommissioned on October 6, 1989, while the remainder of the route though the state was removed October 12, 1991.
The Interstate was first numbered I-10 by the American Association of State Highway Officials, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce
, in 1957.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
is 164.264 miles (264.4 km) long main route of the Interstate Highway System
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
. I-10 traverses Southern New Mexico through Hidalgo
Hidalgo County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.3% White*0.6% Black*0.8% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.8% Two or more races*11.0% Other races*56.6% Hispanic or Latino...
, Grant
Grant County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*84.9% White*0.9% Black*1.4% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.8% Two or more races*9.8% Other races*48.3% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Luna
Luna County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*77.7% White*1.1% Black*1.3% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.6% Two or more races*16.8% Other races*61.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, and Doña Ana
Doña Ana County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*74.1% White*1.7% Black*1.5% Native American*1.1% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.0% Two or more races*18.5% Other races*65.7% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
counties. The Interstate travels west–east between the Arizona state line and the interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
with I-25
Interstate 25 in New Mexico
In the U.S. state of New Mexico, Interstate 25 follows the north–south corridor through Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It replaced U.S. Route 85, which is no longer signed, but still exists in route logs sharing the I-25 alignment. I-25 starts in New Mexico at an interchange with I-10 in Las Cruces and...
in Las Cruces
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces, also known as "The City of the Crosses", is the county seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 97,618 in 2010 according to the 2010 Census, making it the second largest city in the state....
, and then travels north–south into Texas. U.S. Route 80 (US 80) was replaced by I-10 through New Mexico, and was removed in two stages, with all the signage removed by October 1991.
Route description
I-10 enters New Mexico and Hidalgo County from Cochise CountyCochise County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*78.5% White*4.2% Black*1.2% Native American*1.9% Asian*0.3% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*4.0% Two or more races*9.6% Other races*32.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
as a four lane divided highway
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
. The highway travels east through rural southeast New Mexico, passing between Steins Mountain and Attorney Mountain, part of the Peloncillo Mountains
Peloncillo Mountains (Hidalgo County)
The Peloncillo Mountains of Hidalgo County, , is a major 35-mi long mountain range of southwest New Mexico's Hidalgo County, and also part of the New Mexico Bootheel region. The range continues to the northwest into Arizona as the Peloncillo Mountains of Cochise County, Arizona...
, before passing by the ghost town
Ghost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
of Steins
Steins, New Mexico
Steins is a ghost town in Doubtful Canyon of Hidalgo County, New Mexico. It was originally called Stein's Pass after the nearby pass through the Peloncillo Mountains...
. Continuing east, a the southern terminus of New Mexico State Road 80 (NM 80) is intersected, serving Rodeo
Rodeo, New Mexico
Rodeo, is an unincorporated town in Hidalgo County in the southwestern corner of New Mexico at . It lies less than one mile from the border with Arizona on New Mexico State Highway 80....
, followed by NM 338. Passing Lee Peak
Lee Peak
Lee Peak is a peak along the west side of Scott Glacier, 3 nautical miles north of Mount Denauro, in the Queen Maud Mountains. Mapped by United States Geological Survey from surveys and U.S. Navy air photos, 1960-64. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Frank P. Lee, photographer...
the highway turns southeast entering Lordsburg
Lordsburg, New Mexico
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,379 people, 1,220 households, and 854 families residing in the city. The population density was 403.1 people per square mile . There were 1,414 housing units at an average density of 168.7 per square mile...
. US 70 is intersected in town, and becomes concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with the highway as it continues east past the Lordsburg Municipal Airport, before exiting the town. Near the Grant County line is the Shakespeare
Shakespeare, New Mexico
Shakespeare, formerly known variously as Mexican Springs, Grant, and Ralston City, is a ghost town in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, United States. It is currently part of a privately-owned ranch, sometimes open to tourists...
ghost town that the highway bypasses. Entering Grant County, the highway continues southeast then northeast after intersecting NM 146. The highway passes over the Continental Divide
Continental Divide
The Continental Divide of the Americas, or merely the Continental Gulf of Division or Great Divide, is the name given to the principal, and largely mountainous, hydrological divide of the Americas that separates the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean from those river systems that drain...
on the Grant–Luna county line. Continuing east, the highway intersects the city of Deming
Deming, New Mexico
Deming is a city in Luna County, New Mexico, United States, located 60 miles west of Las Cruces. The population was 14,116 at the 2000 census. Deming is the county seat and principal town of Luna County.-History:...
and the highway becomes concurrent with US 180 as the three highways continue east. The highway enters Doña Ana County as it approaches Las Cruces
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces, also known as "The City of the Crosses", is the county seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 97,618 in 2010 according to the 2010 Census, making it the second largest city in the state....
. US 70 exits the highway as it enters the city, and the Interstate turns south and intersects the southern terminus of I-25
Interstate 25 in New Mexico
In the U.S. state of New Mexico, Interstate 25 follows the north–south corridor through Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It replaced U.S. Route 85, which is no longer signed, but still exists in route logs sharing the I-25 alignment. I-25 starts in New Mexico at an interchange with I-10 in Las Cruces and...
continuing south before crossing into El Paso County, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
History
I-10 replaced US 80 through New Mexico, which was one of the original United States Numbered HighwaysUnited States Numbered Highways
The system of United States Numbered Highways is an integrated system of roads and highways in the United States numbered within a nationwide grid...
established in 1926. The portion of US 80 between the Arizona state line and Anthony
Anthony, New Mexico
Anthony is a city in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, USA. The population was 7,904 at the 2000 census. It is located on the New Mexico–Texas state line in the Upper Mesilla Valley, and on Interstate 10, 27 miles south of Las Cruces and 21 miles north of El Paso, Texas...
was decommissioned on October 6, 1989, while the remainder of the route though the state was removed October 12, 1991.
The Interstate was first numbered I-10 by the American Association of State Highway Officials, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce
United States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
, in 1957.
Exit list
See also
- Business routes of Interstate 10Business routes of Interstate 10Interstate business routes are roads connecting a central or commercial district of a city or town with an Interstate bypass. These roads typically follow along local streets often along a former U.S. route or state highway that had been replaced by an Interstate...